Most people know that coming up with new cooking recipes can be a trial and error journey. You spend hours trying to find the right ingredients, follow complex directions, and end up feeling like you wasted your time. Cooking meals doesn’t have to be hard, though- this guide presents low-calorie dishes that will make your weeknight dinners more appealing. So take a look at these recipes under 400 calories!
Lemon Chicken Recipe
This chicken dish bursts with fresh flavors from the lemon and garlic. We recommend pairing it with rice or quinoa for extra protein.
Ingredients:
1 cup raw, dried sunflower seeds
1 pound chicken breast, cubed
Three sprigs cilantro, roughly chopped (omit for kids)
2 cups water or broth (chicken and stock)
Directions:
In a food processor wizz the sunflower seeds in a bit of olive oil until fully blended with no chunks or pieces. Leave cup of the raw sunflower seed mixture aside and blend the rest of it. Add this blend to a pot with the chicken and broth or water. Boil it on low for about an hour. That can be done on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. If a slow cooker is used, set the timer for thirty minutes and then stir. Cook for an additional thirty minutes.
Maple Grilled Salmon Recipe
The maple syrup glaze on this salmon marries perfectly with the orange zest, garlic, and cayenne pepper in this dish. Pairing it with a salad or something light on the dressing side of things while still filling is recommended.
Ingredients:
One tablespoon of olive oil
Seasoning:
teaspoon paprika
teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
In a small bowl, mix the dry ingredients for the seasoning. Heat the butter using a nonstick pan or frying pan on medium heat. Season the salmon with the dry seasoning mix and then place it in the pan. You may need to do this in batches to avoid crowding the pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes until thoroughly cooked through and golden brown.
Curry Lime Salmon Recipe
This salmon dish will be your favorite if you are looking for a quick and easy meal. It is made in just 5 minutes and bursts with flavor from the lime juice, cumin, and ginger. We recommend pairing it with brown rice or quinoa for extra protein.
Ingredients:
1 pound salmon fillets (6-8)
Juice of 1 lime
Salt to taste
Two cloves of garlic, crushed (or more to taste)
One teaspoon of ground cumin
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400F. Lightly oil an oven-safe baking dish (that fits the size of your fish). Place salmon fillets in a baking dish and drizzle with lime juice. Sprinkle the top of each fillet with some salt. Place the fillets in the oven and let them cook for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through (depending on thickness).
Putting together a healthy meal can be daunting, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. This guide provides delicious recipes under 400 calories. From breakfast to dessert, there’s something for everyone.
